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Archive for August, 2009
Extreme Nutrition: Project Joint Health
August 30th, 2009categories: Diet and Nutrition
IT IS A SAD STATE OF AFFAIRS WHEN THE BEST YOU CAN HOPE FOR FROM THE INGESTION (DIGESTION?) OR INHALATION OF A NEW MIRACLE SUPPLEMENT IS THAT YOU DON’T GET WICKED GAS, OR WORSE.
Chinese Secret
Chinese Secret
For the Past Several Weeks we have been Testing a new Joint Health Supplement.
Since Extreme Training takes an Extreme Toll on some parts of some of us, and others on others, the idea of a supplement that could actually help healing joint related aches and pains and general soreness was something that sounded, well, like all of the other promises made by supplement companies, too good to be true.
When all of the results are in I will let you know.
“Ancient Chinese Secret is the active ingredient in this Super-Mega-Mass-Builder”
Why is this important? Because, IN ALMOST EVERY SUPPLEMENT STUDY I HAVE LED OR PARTICIPATED IN THE ONLY RESULTS OF NOTE WERE BAD. AND THOSE WERE THE SUPPLEMENTS THAT DID ANYTHING AT ALL. AT LEAST GAS TOLD US SOMETHING WAS HAPPENING.
That being said, I’m keeping an Open Mind so that I don’t miss something that might Actually Work. In other words, do what it claims to do.
Now, while I am very interested and often amused by the science which is offered to support one product or another, I have found that the only way to know if something works is to try it. Yes, it is a sad state of affairs when we have to resort to self-trials in order to find out whether the alleged SCIENCE actually means anything to the humans paying good money and consuming products that they have been promised work. …well the mice in this test gained x milligrams of muscle after being starved and then beaten… you get the picture.
Perhaps the most amazing thing of all – more amazing than the fact that Science in the Supplement Field is only slightly more reliable than Voodoo (and not as cool) – is the amount of money spent by consumers who hope and pray that the products they purchase do even 1% of what’s claimed.
Good for the Supplement Companies, bad for the sliding average of Human Intelligence (not helped by my transgressions into the realm of magic potions and alchemy).
So, Rather than wait for Science to Advance (something I actively work towards in the development of the mind-side of the mind-body-spirit (whatever that is) triangle) we at the Zone have decided to start running simple product trials.
How does Extreme Science Work? We will recruit test subjects from all walks of life, provide them with the target supplements, force them to take them as directed, and then tally up the results. We will report first hand accounts from our victims. The bad, the ugly and perhaps, the good as well.
If nothing else, you will get to hear what other “real people” have to say about the pros and cons of the latest miracle cure.
Unless my Merry Band of test Subjects and I are convinced that something actually works, whatever it is, we will not promote it on this site.
In the meantime, stick to the things that we know will absolutely help us maintain our health, grow and develop. Hard Work, Real Food, Clean Air and Water. And of course, Fun (although there are supplements that work in the Fun Department… JUNK FOOD…but the side effects, well you can weigh them on your scale. Is that scientific enough for you?
Have Fun, Train Hard, and Don’t Forget to Write!
Extreme Mental Muscle: One Step at a Time
August 29th, 2009categories: Extreme Training, Martial Arts, Mental Muscle
The Key To Perpetual Growth is Progress.
Shaolin Steps
Sounds like great advice. But what does it mean? It means that you are Always Moving Towards the Achievement of One or More Goals. There are Five Things that you can do to ensure that you are dialed in and stay on the Path to Progress.
1. VISION. Build and refine a clear image of what you are trying to achieve. The more clear this image becomes, the better your sense of direction will become. Knowing what you want helps you make the right decisions along the way. For example, ask yourself, “will this course of action take me closer to my ultimate goal?”
Identify your major goal and write it down. Then answer the following questions:
What is your Goal: State your goal in a clear and concise way. For example, I will gain 10 pounds of muscle mass before the next Tournament.
Why do you Want to Achieve it: Write down why the attainment of your goal is important to you. For example, I will be going up against heavier opponents and the extra mass and strength will give me the edge in close-in fighting.
What will it bring you: Explain what the goal will look or feel like. For example, I will be more solid in my stances and if grabbed will be able to crush my opponent. Win, lose, or draw, I will have built my body in a way that will enhance my chances for success in the competitive aspect of the combative arts.
When will you achieve it by: Pick a fixed date for the attainment of your goal and write it down. In this example, one week before the Tournament, which is 11 weeks away.
2. PLAN. Once you have connected with your vision, it is time to outline how you will make it a Reality.
Write down what you will do to achieve your goal. Think of the things that you need to do as steps. In order to climb the staircase to your goal, you need to move one step at a time. If you try to skip too many steps at once, you may get away with it, for a while, but one slip and all of your prior hard work can be undone.
Continuing with the example of Gaining Ten Pounds of Muscle in Ten Weeks: Ten pounds divided by ten weeks is a pound a week. Is this possible? This question is CRITICAL and must be answered “YES”.
If you don’t fully believe that you will achieve your goal, you’re already doomed. If that’s the case, set a slightly lower goal, one that you Know, Absolutely Believe, that you both can and will achieve. No Question. No doubt. No Hesitation.
Good. Since I do not feel, for this example, that i have control over how much muscle my body will generate, I will FOCUS ON THE ASPECTS THAT I CAN CONTROL. In this case, that means that I will add 5 pounds to my working Bench Press weight, ten pounds to my Squat and ten pounds to my Deadlift every week. Why? Because I BELIEVE THAT BY LIFTING MORE WEIGHTS I WILL GET STRONGER AND BY GETTING STRONGER I WILL GAIN MUSCLE MASS.
In addition, I will make drink a protein shake with 50 grams of protein after each workout and another one right before I go to sleep. Do I have the science to tell me that this will work? Actually, I have SCIENCE OF THE BEST KIND. I have done this before and was smart enough to write what I did down. In other words, one of the reasons I am confident that I will achieve this goal is because I have done something very similar to it before. And, EXPERIENCE IS SCIENCE!!! If you write it down so you can repeat the process again, at higher and higher levels.
3. COMMITMENT: This is obvious. Your goal should serve as both a source of inspiration as well as a Guiding Light.
By be being committed to the attainment of your goal you can avoid being influenced by distractions and pulled off-course. You know what you want to achieve and you know how to achieve it. How easy is that? Not. Unless you are COMMITTED.
4. WORK THE PLAN: In other words, do it. There should be nothing more to it. Further thinking on the goal, and the plan will undermine your commitment.
If this happens, it is time to review your goals and your plan and see what it is that is troubling you, in other words, allowing you to stray from the path.
5. REVIEW: Once you have achieved your goal, or the time has lapsed for completion, make sure to write down what happened, where you ended up, and what you will do differently the next time around.
In this way you are guaranteed that you can LEARN FROM BOTH YOUR SUCCESSES AND YOUR FAILURES. This is really where the most VALUE comes from in this process. Remember, YOU ARE AN EXPERIMENT OF ONE. GET TO KNOW YOURSELF.
Knowing where you have been and how you got there will help you to progressively reach higher and higher goals, one step at a time.
Good Luck on your Journey!
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Extreme Training: Kettlebell Swing
August 29th, 2009categories: Combat Conditioning, Exercises, Extreme Training, Martial Arts
The Kettlebell is a Versatile Training Tool for Martial Artists and Combat Athletes.
Hanging Kettlebell
Hanging Kettlebell
This Exercise and Variations will build Explosive Punching and Grabbing Power.
First: Take a Heavy Kettlebell, 44-62 pounds is a good starting weight, a sturdy rope, and find a swing set or power rack to suspend the Kettlebell from.
Second: Suspend the Kettlebell from your support at about your chest height. The easy way to do this is to loop the rope through a metal ring and then through the kettlebell and then once again, making a small pulley arrangement (don’t think, just do it). As you pull the two ends of the rope the kettlbell will lift up. Then tie off the rope by wrapping the excess rope around the hanging portion of rope above the bell and tie in a square knot at the end.
Getting the Kettlebell in position is part of the fun, and the workout.
Exercise One: KETTLEBELL PUSH AND CATCH: Take a firm stance in front of the kettlebell and push the bell with one hand. As it swings back, intercept with the other hand and push again. Alternate hands for 50 – 100 reps. The harder you push the kettlebell, the greater it will swing and the greater the force will be on the opposite hand as you slow and then stop the weight.
After your set, perform 100 punches to a heavy bag, or to the air if you do not have easy access to a bag. Then start again. Three rounds is a good beginning. Once you have completed your rounds, move on to Exercise Two.
WARNING: This exercise is harder than it sounds. The force you can generate can be quite high. AND, PAY ATTENTION. Do not let the Kettlebell hit you in the head.
Exercise Two: KETTLEBELL PULL AND CATCH. This is just like it sounds. Grab the bell and pull it towards you as high as possible without hitting yourself. Next, as the weight swings downwards, catch it with the other hand and pull it back towards you. Repeat for 50 – 100 repititions.
After your set, jump up and do as many pullups as you can in 20 seconds. Then repeat for two more rounds for a total of three rounds. Once you have finished your rounds, move on to the third exercise.
Exercise Three: KETTLEBELL SIDE TO SIDE SWING AND CATCH. Exactly like it sounds. Stand in front of the bell and swing it as hard as you can to the side, twisting your arm across your body as you do so. You should feel your core muscles working – in fact you will discover what the CORE is on this exercise. Let the bell swing across your body and catch it as it passes your opposite shoulder (from the pushing arm) and then swing the bell to the other side repeating the movement.
Perform 25 – 50 of this movement and then drop down and do 50 crunches. That is one round. Do three rounds and see how you feel. You should feel great!
But do not be DECEIVED. This exercise involves the generation and braking of forces much greater than you may be used to (for those exercise physiologists who want to know the science behind the madness, this is a form of plyometrics training). In other words, don’t try to do more the first time. Wait until the next day and see how your shoulders feel. You may be surprised by the soreness in muscles that you didn’t know you had.
Not only are these exercises fun to perform, they will help take your Punching Power to the next level. What more could you ask for?
You asked. Level Two.
Bell and Chains
Ultra-Extreme (do not try this at home).
Hang chains to the kettlebell and perform the above exercises. The counter weight effect of the heavy chains will generate even additional forces in unexpected places as the bell swings in strange and often jerky movements.
BEWARE of the swinging chains. Wear groin protection, perhaps a helmet and mouth guard, and PAY ATTENTION. This Variation is true Warrior Training taken to the EXTREME!
Have fun, train hard (be careful) and let me know how these exercises work out for you. STAY TUNED FOR DEMONSTRATIONS OF THESE EXERCISES AND VARIATIONS AS WE ADD VIDEO CONTENT TO THIS SITE!!!
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